Sensory systems

Question 1

Exteroceptor

Answer 1

Receptor receiving stimuli from outside the body.

Question 2

Interoceptor

Answer 2

Receptor receiving stimuli from inside the body.

Question 3

Proprioceptor

Answer 3

Receptor detecting the position of the body and the state of the muscles, tendons and joints.

Question 4

Contact receptor

Answer 4

The source of the stimulus has to be in contact with the receptor to elicit a response.

Question 5

Telereceptor

Answer 5

The source of the stimulus is distant from the receptor,.

Question 6

Stimulus threshold

Answer 6

Minimal energy of stimulus that changes action potential frequency in the primary sensory neuron.

Question 7

Stimulus adaptation

Answer 7

The process in which the effect of the stimulus on the receptor decreases in time.

Question 8

Receptive field

Answer 8

Part of the environment or body (visual field, skin, etc), from which the activity of the examined element of the sensory system can be changed.

Question 9

Receptor potential

Answer 9

Membrane potential change of the sensory cell in response to the stimulus.

Question 10

Topography

Answer 10

The spatial arrangement of the sensory cells is mapped throughout the sensory system.

Question 11

Dermatome

Answer 11

Strip-like part of the skin innervated by one spinal segment.

Question 12

Homunculus

Answer 12

Drawing indicating the representation of different body parts on the somatosensory cortex proportionally to the number of recepors, thus causing distortion of the image.

Question 13

Weber-Fencher’s law

Answer 13

Exponential equation showing the relationship between stimulus and response in sensory systems.